Judge Allows Sierra Club and Baykeeper to Intervene in Coal Lawsuit; Denies Motions to Dismiss

On Tuesday, June 6, United States District Judge Vince Chhabria granted Sierra Club and San Francisco Baykeeper’s motion to intervene in developer Phil Tagami’s lawsuit against the City of Oakland. The lawsuit challenges the City’s ban on coal storage and handling at a marine terminal to be located on the City’s West Gateway waterfront property near the foot of the Bay Bridge. The move granting intervenor status was foreshadowed by comments Judge Chabbria made at a hearing on April 20, but, until Tuesday’s written order, the environmental groups did not know for sure if they would be parties in the lawsuit with the power to take discovery, bring and oppose motions, and participate at trial.